Montreal ovarian cancer survivor speaks out on gaps of awareness with reproductive cancers

With September being Gynaecological and Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, health professionals and survivors are speaking out to highlight these health issues in an effort to improve overall understanding.

A Leger survey of Canadian women aged over 40 reveals a concerning gap in awareness and understanding of gynaecological cancer symptoms and risks – more specifically, nearly 60 per cent of women surveyed expressed uncertainty about whether these cancers exhibit early warning signs.

“We don’t have a lot of information out there about ovarian cancer, about the signs which are easily confused with menopause,” said Jacqueline Carrière, an ovarian cancer survivor.

“I hear stories of young women now more and more getting the diagnosis, and they have like young children and that breaks my heart.”

Carrière, 61, a retired school teacher and Longueuil resident, was diagnosed with Stage IIIC ovarian cancer nine months ago. She said she did not know much about the disease prior to her diagnosis and that she has often faced challenges in accessing resources.

“As you hit menopause and pre-menopause, you get all kinds of symptoms, and everything gets mixed up,” Carriere said.

“You sort of attribute those symptoms to ‘it’s menopause’ when in fact it could be ovarian cancer.”

According to the survey, which discusses ovarian, endometrial (uterine), cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers — thousands of women each year face challenges in recognizing symptoms.

Endometrial cancer

In 2024, 8,600 Canadian women were diagnosed, and 1,600 died from endometrial cancer.

Dr. Diane Provencher, Gynecologic Oncologist & Director of Ovarian Cancer Research at the Montreal Cancer Institute, said that it is expected to become the second-most diagnosed cancer among Canadian women within the next 15 years.

Dr. Provencher explained that gynecological cancer is a broad term that could include the cancer of the cervix, the endometrium, the vulva, or the vagina. She added that vulva cancer is correlated with more elderly patients, though cancer of the cervix doesn’t show ‘that many signs’ adding the importance of screening.

Dr. Provencher detailed that the “signature” of endometrial cancer is usually abnormal bleeding. She explains that the most common occurrence is usually post-menopausal bleeding, which, if it happens, would immediately need to be seen by a healthcare professional.

“Endometrial cancer has basically two types. One is related to estrogen, and the other one is more like a genetic mutation. But the one with the estrogen is also linked to obesity,” she said.

“We are seeing a major increase in endometrial cancer; luckily, the signal is the abnormal bleeding, so that brings the patient to be seen and treated early.”

Other common contributors vary with the type of cancer, such as age and family history. Carrière clarifies that there is no personal family history when dealing with reproductive cancers.

Carrière detailed the challenges while going through chemotherapy, adding that the presence of animals, such as her son’s dog Clara or her own Clovis — helped her through the journey.

“The more we talk about ovarian cancer and women’s health in the media, that’s how we get the ball rolling,” Carrière said.

Additionally, she advises those who face similar challenges to find alternative methods to help with the mental battle. In her case, she encourages patients to pick up physical activity three times a week.

Ovarian cancer

While discussing other factors, Dr. Provencher emphasizes that ovarian cancer is the most lethal.

“Ovarian cancer is more of the crazy one. Okay. It’s the one that no signs, no symptoms, nothing. That’s why they call it the silent killer.”

Dr. Provencher says genetic testing is ongoing nationwide for patients already diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and more initiatives and resources need to be fed to these areas. The testing aims to find alternative links other than family history.

“There’s more and more genetic testing right now that are done. There’s a big initiative like in Ontario and British Columbia, patients that are already diagnosed with ovarian cancer,” said Dr. Provencher.

Interestingly, Dr. Provencher said more and more Quebec women were seen faster than in other provinces, though she clarifies that this was due to a lack of family doctors, which forced patients to visit the ER for their diagnosis.

Both Dr. Provencher and Carrière call for more action and awareness among Canadians nationwide.

“There’s quite a few resources out there. Perhaps my wish would be that they would be more available,” Carrière said.

Though, Carrière says she doesn’t know how to “go about that,” referring to resource opportunities, as she continues to navigate the next chapter in her road to recovery.

“A woman has a role, whether it is in the family or society or anywhere, but again, if we can break through this ‘shyness or fear’ of not being taken into consideration, it would be great,” Dr. Provencher said.